The Music of Eric Whitacre

Laurie Lewis-Fritz is the Lead Faculty for Vocal Performance at Lincoln College, where she oversees the vocal program, directs its three choirs, and teaches various courses in music. Prior to this position, she was the Director of Music at MacMurray College. She has taught, performed, and music directed across the United States and internationally, including a solo jazz piano/vocal recital in Skopje, Macedonia and choral performances in China. She has led workshops on choral singing and audition techniques across the Midwest, and her arrangements have been performed across Illinois and Iowa. Ms. Lewis-Fritz is a member of ACDA and NATS.

The Lincoln College Chamber Choir is an auditioned group composed primarily of voice majors, voice minors, and students receiving choir scholarships who also sing in the Lincoln College Chorale. The Chamber Choir sings a variety of repertoire, including the classical, musical theater, jazz, Motown, opera, and pop/contemporary genres. The choir maintains a highly active and rigorous performance schedule. It is often invited to represent the vocal program and sing at on- and off-campus events, including alumni gatherings, admissions events, and meetings of the Lincoln College Board of Trustees. The Lincoln College Chamber Choir is under the direction of Laurie Lewis-Fritz.

Melissa Senatore has been the choral director at West Islip High School for 6 years and has been a leader in the music department for West Islip Public schools since 2006. With a BM from the University of Miami's Frost School of Music and a MA from Stony Brook University, she has shared her expertise in all genres of music with multiple performing groups in West Islip including a Women’s Choir, Mixed Chorus, acclaimed Jazz/Swing Choir, “Vocal Motion”, as well as her premier vocal ensemble, Chorale. Mrs. Senatore and her husband, Joseph are the proud parents of three beautiful children Cameron, Violet and Jonathan. She is thrilled to share this amazing experience with her students, and is honored to perform at Lincoln Center under the direction of Eric Whitacre!

Chorale is an audition-based ensemble comprised of the most talented vocal students at West Islip High School. They study a range of composers and musical genres, and have performed on numerous stages throughout the United States and Canada including notable venues such as Carnegie Hall. Chorale has earned many awards including Gold with Distinction ratings at NYSSMA’s Major Organization Festival. Each year several students from Chorale are chosen for Regional, State, and National choral honors, and many have gone on to pursue careers in music. Chorale is honored to have been invited to perform in this prestigious concert, and sends their deepest appreciation to DCINY and Eric Whitacre for the opportunity of a lifetime.

Larissa Cunningham began her pursuit of music education after becoming a wife and mother of three boys. She received her Bachelors degree at Texas Tech University, and has since co-founded a women’s community ensemble in Texas. She also teaches music at San Jacinto Christian Academy in Amarillo, TX where she teaches all age groups from elementary to middle and high school choirs.

Bella Musica is a select women’s ensemble established with the desire of several ladies to sing together with the ability to perform choral Music at any level of difficulty. Bella enriches the lives of its performers and audiences by bringing together individuals of diverse backgrounds and interests to share in the preparation and enjoyment of beautifully arranged pieces. The ensemble is comprised of dedicated musicians from various cities throughout the Texas Panhandle. Through their beauty and harmony, these musicians inspire groups and organizations throughout the region. Bella Musica rehearses year-round and performs for many community events. Their Christmas and spring concerts are well attended, and viewed as a family tradition for many in the community. Bella music it was established in 2013 and is located in Borger Texas.

Larissa Cunningham began her pursuit of Music Education after her several years of working as a piano and vocal instructor, and performing in various ensembles. She received her Bachelors Degree at Texas Tech University, and has since co-founded a women's community ensemble her home town of Borger, Texas. She also teaches all grade levels of music at San Jacinto Christian Academy, and the choir she brings to NY is an award winning High School Varsity Choir from Amarillo, Texas.

San Jacinto Christian Academy was founded in 1982, and has a wonderful heritage of success in the Arts. SJCA members are inducted into the Texas All State Choir regularly, and receive the highest ratings at State Solo and Ensemble competitions as well as choral Outstanding Ratings at festivals and TAPPS competitions. Though the group may be small, they are mighty. SJCA thrives in allowing their students new experiences, such as the opportunity with DCINY this year.

Mr. Baldasserini is a graduate of Rutgers University, with a BA in Music (Trumpet / Piano) and Italian. He enjoys a multi-faceted career as an educator, performer, mentor, director, and private instructor, teaching vocal music and Italian at Matawan Regional High School, where he was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2015. He is the director of each of that school’s choirs, as well as the Vocal Music Academy, a four year course designed to prepare students at the secondary level for all aspects of the music profession. Mr. Baldasserini was also the guest conductor for the All Shore Honors Chorus in 2014, and has performed at Carnegie Hall under the direction of John Rutter.

The MRHS Huskapella was formed in 2011, and since then has won the county teen arts competition 6 years in a row. The ensemble has performed at Carnegie Hall performing an Ola Glielo World Premiere, been invited to perform at the NJMEA conference to perform and give a workshop on inter-district collaboration, and has performed on stage with Our of the Blue (Cambridge Universities a capella Group)

Michael Cundari is enjoying his second year as Choir Director at Palm Desert H.S. in Palm Desert, CA. Formerly, he served 15 years as Arts Coordinator / Choir Director for the Nutley Schools (NJ). During his tenure Nutley was named by the NAMM foundation as a ‘Top Community For Music Education’ and were the recipients of a Glee-Give-A-Note grant, which recognized top programs nation wide. His ensembles have performed several works at the famed Carnegie Hall including; a world premiere of E.R. Robinson’s “The Nativity”, Vivaldi’s Gloria, John Rutter’s “Magnificat” under the direction of John Rutter, “Hummel’s Mass in B flat”, and Mozart’s “Vesperae solennes de Confessore”. Michael also conducted Mozart’s "Requiem" at Carnegie Hall in 2009 with the Nutley Choirs as the chorus. Other notable performances include; Notre Dame (Paris), The Kennedy Center (DC), Canterbury Cathedral (England), St. Stephens Cathedral (Vienna), St. Marc’s Basilica (Venice), The National Cathedral in DC & most recently on the Deck of the USS MISSOURI in Pearl Harbor Hawaii with the Palm Desert Choirs! Michael received his B.A. in Music Education from The University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a Masters of Music from Rutgers University, where he studied conducting with Dr. Patrick Gardner.

Dr. Lisa Lutter is a music educator whose choirs have performed in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Mexico, the Pacific, Russia and U.S.; with Grammy winners Chanticleer, Eileen Ivers, Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Judy Collins; and won gold medals in international competition. Dr. Lutter founded the Pacific Summer Music Festival, Opera of the Pacific, Guam Children's Choir and Cantate Guam, receiving three National Endowment for the Arts grants. A soprano, Lisa Lutter sang in Carnegie, Avery Fisher and Alice Tully halls, the Aspen and Tanglewood music festivals, and was a Met Opera Finalist. DMA, Manhattan School of Music; MM, Northwestern University; BA, Luther College.

Bryce Harrison is the Director of Choirs at Mission Vista High School, a performing arts magnet school located in Oceanside, CA. He earned degrees from California Baptist University (B.M.Ed.), California State University, Fullerton (teaching cert.), and Westminster Choir College (M.M.E.). Bryce also serves as the Worship Director for Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in San Diego. He lives with his wife Britany and greyhound, Dr. Watson, in Orange County, CA.

The MVHS Festival Choir is made up of singers that come from a variety different choirs offered at Mission Vista High School, a performing arts magnet school in the small beach city of Oceanside, CA. In addition to being passionate singers, many of these students are very active in the diverse arts program offered at MVHS. Represented in the choir are visual artists, actors, dancers, and composers who met after school to rehearse for this special occasion.

NANCY SINGLA, founder and artistic director, completed her Master’s degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Toronto, her undergraduate studies in vocal performance and piano performance from the University of Victoria and the Victoria Conservatory of Music. She also holds an Associate diploma in piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music. In the Fall of 2014, it was an honor for Nancy to be nominated for the Leslie Bell Prize in Choral Conducting, which supports and recognizes young outstanding conductors in Ontario. She is currently the music director at Forest Hill United Church, and maintains a private teaching studio in her home.

Founded in 2008, the CANTALA WOMEN’S CHOIR is an award-winning, vibrant young choral group in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada, choral community. Cantala is a “musical home” for those who have a passion for achieving choral excellence, have a great love of choral music and value the quality of life that singing brings to their lives. This past year Cantala received two Gold ratings at the Toronto, Ontario Kiwanis music Festival and earned the Barry Gosse Etobicoke Centennial Choir award. They went on to compete at the Ontario Provincial Choral competition and were awarded second place. This is an exciting time for Cantala as we celebrate our 10th season. In addition to participating with Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) we are excited to continue our recording project this spring with a projected release of our first digital recordings in the Fall of 2018.

Dr. Kerry Burtis is the Director of Music at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon and Director of Music Ministries at Salem First United Methodist Church. He has taught vocal music for over thirty years. He graduated with honors and received his BA in Music Education from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He received his MM and DMA degrees from the University of Southern California. Choirs under his direction have performed at Carnegie Hall, St. John the Divine, the Kennedy Center, the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., as well as in Prague, Budapest, Vienna, and St. Petersburg, Russia.

The Chemeketa Community College Concert Choir is made up of singers from all walks of life. Some are full-time students at the college intending to pursue Music as a major at a university, following their two years at Chemeketa, while others simply come for the joy and fellowship of singing! The Concert Choir rehearses once a week and enjoys singing a variety of music throughout the year and performs three main concerts a year.

Katherine Girvin, a native of San Diego, attended the University of Missouri, Columbia where she received a Bachelors of Art and Science (2004), a Bachelors of Science in Middle School Education (2005) and a Masters in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction (2006). Katherine has been teaching choral education for nine years and has been working with Chamber Bravura for the last seven years. Katherine is also an Adjunct Professor at San Diego Christian College, where she teaches current teachers, Education majors, and supervises college students in their student teaching assignments in both San Diego and Orange Counties. Katherine has been named Choral Educator of the Year by CMEA Southern Border division (2012) and in the same year received the Mackenzie-Haney award, an Outstanding Choral Educator Award voted on by her colleagues throughout the San Diego Unified School District. Katherine is currently a principal in Borrego Springs Unified School District in San Diego County.

Chamber Bravura is an extra-curricular vocal performance organization that only meets once a week for two hours. It is comprised of 30 vocalists from various middle and high schools in the San Diego area, with the average age being 14 years old. These students perform rigorous choral music through a program of regular rehearsals and concerts. They strive to study and perform challenging and interesting music in a variety of genres. Chamber Bravura has performed in Carnegie Hall 5 times, including being the featured ensemble in Total Vocal 2 and 3 under the direction of Deke Sharon. Chamber Bravura performed a Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica as well as in the Florence Duomo and Pantheon in June, 2013. Chamber Bravura performed a concert tour of Austria and Prague in July, 2014 as well as a concert tour of Ireland, Wales, and England in July of 2015. Chamber Bravura just returned from a tour of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand where they received a Gold rating at an international choral festival, including a performance in the Sydney Opera House. As Chamber Bravura frequently uses Eric Whitacre's works in competitions and festivals, the students are thrilled to be working with him.

Jennifer Davis is a vocal and general music teacher at Chautauqua Lake Secondary School in Mayville, NY. She directs 3 vocal ensembles in addition to teaching general music, guitar, songwriting and piano/theory. A native of Rochester, NY, Davis earned a Bachelor of Music degree from SUNY Fredonia (1995) and a Master of Music Degree from the Eastman School of Music (2000). Davis is also active in the New York State School Music Association, serving on the Curriculum Committee and as a presenter for both winter and summer conferences.

The Chautauqua Lake Secondary Chorus is a curricular ensemble open to students in grades 9-12. In addition to school performances the group hosts and participates in the NYSSMA Choral Major Organization Festival. The Chautauqua Lake Central School District is located in Mayville, NY and has around 900 students in grades pre-k through 12.

Katie Williams is in her 22nd year teaching. She is currently the Teacher of the Year at Oconee County High School in Watkinsville, Georgia where she has spent the last 18 years teaching concert choir, show choir, music theory, and musical theater. Katie received her undergraduate degree in Music Education from Converse College in 1996 and a master’s degree in Music Education from The University of Georgia in 2002. Katie lives in Athens, Georgia with her husband Richard and her sons Charlie and James, a freshman, who is a performer in tonight’s concert.

Oconee County High School is located in Watkinsville, Georgia and is one of two high schools in the county. The Concert Choir is made up of 9-12 grade students who come from different ensembles within Oconee County High School. These students have rehearsed long hours during class and outside of class in preparation for this concert. They are grateful to Mr. Eric Whitacre and DCINY for this opportunity to work with him and perform here tonight.

Violet Pledger is thrilled to be the Director of Choral Activities at Collins Hill High School. She is a native of Gwinnett County and a graduate of the GCPS System. Mrs. Pledger previously taught in Douglas County for four years as a high school choral director and musical theater teacher. Her choirs have received Superior and Excellent ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluations in both performance and sight-reading. She has served as the Choral Host for Music in the Parks Six Flags Over Georgia for four years. Mrs. Pledger is a Graduate of Georgia Southern University completing a Bachelor’s Degree in both Choral Music Education and Vocal Performance. During her time at GSU, she was regularly chosen to perform on recitals, galas, and studio performances. She was the Choral Assistant and a member of the opera theater program for five years. In her first year at GSU, Mrs. Pledger premiered the role of Mamie Veazey in the American opera of A Scholar Under Siege, and went on to perform in over 20 operas. In addition to Chorus at CHHS, Mrs. Pledger serves as the coach for the Literary Team. She is married to her high school sweetheart Brandon and loves spending time listening to records, cooking, and performing.

The Collins Hill Mastery Chorus consists of 28 superior students. To be selected as a member of this choir, students must have passed a rigorous audition including solo, sight-reading, voice placement, and tonal memory. All students in the mastery choir have earned a 98 or higher percent in chorus for all years. This group is consistently sought after to perform at community events. This choir has received superior ratings in performance and sight-reading at Large Group Performance Evaluation for over ten years. These students represent the true vision of Collins Hill High School and Choral Department: pursue excellence in academic knowledge, skills, and behavior by providing meaningful and diverse learning opportunities for preparing our students to meet the challenges of the future as lifelong learners and responsible citizens.

Michael Brown is in his sixth year as a music educator. At Junction City High School, he oversees and directs six ensembles, and co-directs and accompanies the musical each year. In his tenure as the head director of vocal music, his students and choirs have attended KMEA All-State Choir and NAfME National Choir, received outstanding ratings at large group and small ensemble festivals, and have had extensive traveling and performance opportunities. His choirs have performed in Carnegie Hall, New York; in San Antonio, Texas at the Alamo Bowl; and at 4th Presbyterian Church in Chicago with René Clausen. He graduated from the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music in Ohio where he studied voice and piano; and from the Nazarene Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. In addition to his position at Junction City High School, Mr. Brown was the worship pastor at the Junction City Church of the Nazarene for 11 years, and is active accompanist in the community.

Annika Stucky is in her second year as a music educator. At Junction City High School, she co-teaches three choirs, orchestra, piano, and co-directs the musical. In her first year at Junction City, her ensembles have received outstanding ratings at contest, including first place at the Festival of Music at Worlds of Fun; and performed at 4th Presbyterian Church in Chicago with René Clausen. She graduated suma cum laude from Kansas State University with degrees in Music Education and Spanish Education, and as the Outstanding Senior in Music Education. While at K-State, Mrs. Stucky was involved in numerous ensembles and performance opportunities, including trips abroad to Italy and France. She studied voice, piano, viola, and was involved with opera productions. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Stucky co-directs the Manhattan Parks and Recreation Youth Choir.

Chamber Choir is the top auditioned ensemble at Junction City High School. It is comprised of between 40 and 45 singers, ages 10th through 12th grade. Students in Chamber Choir compete for District and All-State Choirs and at Regional and State Solo and Small Ensemble contests. Chamber Choir has a long history of excellence, receiving excellent and superior ratings at contest. The choir has also had the privilege to perform under Dr. Joshua Oppenheim and Dr. Julie Yu from Kansas State University at Carnegie Hall in New York; and under Dr. René Clausen from Concordia College at the 4th Presbyterian Church in Chicago. In 2017, Chamber Choir was selected as a featured ensemble for the Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop Conference.

Matthew Hanson is in his 6th year teaching choral music and guitar at Northwood High School. He graduated in 2012 from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he received both his Bachelor of Music Performance and Bachelor of Music Education degrees. Hanson is an active member of the National Association for Music Education as well as the American Choral Director’s Association. He also serves as the music director and arranger for Northwood’s award-winning mixed a cappella group, Pitch Please. Pitch Please has won back-to-back state titles in the NCASA High School A Cappella competition, recorded and released a 2-track EP entitled, "Take Note" and participated in "TOTAL VOCAL" in 2017 with Deke Sharon.

Currently in her seventh year of teaching, Mrs. Morris has been a member of the Blue Ridge High School faculty since 2013. Mrs. Morris earned her Bachelor’s degree in Choral Music Education from Furman University, and her Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from Boston University. She has enjoyed solo opportunities with the Boston University operas and Furman symphonies, choruses, and operas. She has also sung with various Boston-based choruses and opera companies. Mrs. Morris directs the BRHS Honors Concert Choir, Men’s and Women’s Honors Choirs, Honors Chamber Choir, Men’s and Women’s A Capella groups, Advanced Women’s Choir, Beginning Mixed Chorus, and teaches the Guitar class. This is also Mrs. Morris’ seventh year as a member and soloist of the Greenville Chorale and the Herring Chamber Ensemble. She is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, and South Carolina Music Educators Association.

The Blue Ridge High School Concert Choir, under the direction of Laura G. Morris, has consistently received Superior ratings at contests in South Carolina and in the Southeast. Regularly placing in the top three at the SC State Choral Festival since 2000, the Concert Choir’s most notable performances garnered SC state championships won in the AA and AAA divisions respectfully in 2004, 2009, and 2014. The Honors Men’s Choir (comprised of the men in Concert Choir) placed first at the 2014 State Festival; they also placed third overall across all divisions. The Concert Choir has also recently become back-to-back State Champions in the state sight-singing competition as well, winning the title in 2015 and 2016. In 2017, the Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, and Honors Women’s Choir received Superiors with Distinction, the highest award one can receive. At the national Disney choral festival in 2015, the Concert Choir placed first nationally in their division and placed third overall across all divisions. Returning to the Disney Festival in 2016, the Honors Men’s Choir won first place overall and the Concert Choir placed fourth overall. In 2017, the Concert Choir received first place across all divisions at the Smoky Mountain Music Festival in Gatlinburg, TN. In 2016, the Concert Choir was selected to sing at the 2017 South Carolina SCMEA conference in Columbia, SC. Under Mrs. Morris' direction, the Concert Choir has also been selected to sing on the Greenville Chorale's holiday concert. In the spring of 2017, members of the Concert Choir sang with country music singer Eric Church when he performed in Greenville, SC. Students in the Concert Choir participate in the SCMEA All-State Choirs and the Greenville County District Honor Chorus.

Beth Hollenbeck has taught music for fifteen years in schools throughout Los Angeles and Santa Cruz County and is in her eighth year at Scotts Valley High School. She also served as chorale director for Felton Presbyterian Church from 2003-2010. She is a music/vocal performance graduate from University of California Santa Barbara, with an MA in Teaching w/Honors from Bethany University. She holds a State of California Teaching Credential in Music and a California Career Tech Credential (CTE) in Arts, Media and Entertainment. In 2011 Scotts Valley High School received a GRAMMY Award for the recording arts class developed by Ms. Hollenbeck. This is an introductory class to music production, audio engineering and business practices used in the music industry. Scotts Valley School District has been awarded the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation's "Best Communities for Music Education" for four years. NAMM recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who work together to ensure access to music learning for all students as part of the school curriculum. In addition to voice, Ms. Hollenbeck plays clarinet, piano and guitar. As a songwriter and working musician she has produced four CDs of original music with her band from Sweden and has toured extensively throughout Europe and the US performing on radio and at festivals and music venues.

Scotts Valley High has been building its choir since the school's opening in 1999. The high school has a population of 800 students, with thirty-two students currently participating in choir. Over the last eight years the Scotts Valley High School Choir has sung at a variety of music festivals, including the Heritage Festival in Los Angeles in 2016 where they received a Silver rating and the "Los Angeles Spirit" Award from the festival directors for their enthusiasm and professional behavior. The SVHS choir has performed annually in the choral festival Sing For Your Life, sponsored by the Gold Standard Chorus of Santa Cruz . The student quartet, Falcon Four, has been a popular feature in the festival. Students from the choir are also selected every year to participate in the California Music Educators Association's Central Coast Honor Choir. The choir has also been an integral part of their community by performing in several local events sponsored by the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club. The choir is in its third year producing the annual Cabaret Night at their school. The night is completely comprised of music and choreography arranged and performed by the choir students. Students from the drama department and student government also participate, creating a collaborative night of song and dance for our community to enjoy. The Scotts Valley High School Choir is excited and honored to be working with Eric Whitacre and performing at the Lincoln Center. This has been a highlight in the music program and the singers are proud to be part of such an enriching musical experience.

Ms. Chung has a distinguished career in music . As the artistic director and conductor of Hwa-Yin Youth Chorale since 2002. She has led the choir in music festival nationally and internationally, including in Vienna, Austria, Disney World, Florida, Busch Gardens, Virginia and Taiwan. Ms. Chung also founded the NJ Women’s Chamber Choir in 2003. Her students have won prizes in state competitions at performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and Merkin Hall and have auditioned successfully for the ACDA National Honor Choir, Eastern Honor Choir and New Jersey Junior High and Elementary Honor Choir.

The Northern New Jersey Chinese American Hwa-Yin Youth Chorale was founded in 1989 with the goal of nurturing, enriching, and broadening the cultural horizons of children through music education. Hwa-Yin is a non-profit, self-funded organization currently under the direction of Mrs. Shinwen Chung. Our members, whose grades range from second to twelve, compose a very diverse group from all over Northern New Jersey. They rehearse every Sunday afternoon during the school year. Hwa-Yin represents not only a venue by which to gain music skill and appreciation, but also an opportunity to learn about global musical cultures and make local connections.